Llanelli facing a tough test at champs

NEWLY-PROMOTED Llanelli Town travel to JD Welsh Premier League champions The New Saints this evening as they look to secure a first win in four games.

The Reds, who strolled to the Nathaniel Car Sales Welsh League Division One title last season, opened the season with a 7-0 hammering at Connah’s Quay Nomads, but have improved since then.

And manager Andy Hill insists if they can cut out the mistakes they will more than hold their own in the Welsh top flight.

“The game was a massive wakeup call. Perhaps, looking back, it was a good thing,” said Hill.

“For two seasons our squad have been the best in Division Two and Division One, no-one has really come close.

“And then having to compete against Connah’s Quay, who are going to be challenging TNS, was a massive wake-up call for the boys.

“It’s probably done the boys a world of good. It was hard to take at the time but the type of boys we’ve got they’ve knuckled down and worked hard.

“We have to cut out our mistakes. Every game we seem to be giving goals away through mistakes.

“Away from the mistakes we’re fine and we’re competing but we just keep giving teams opportunities and keep giving away goals.

“We’ve identified that, there is nothing we can do in a coaching aspect it’s just down to individuals not being sloppy and not making mistakes.

“If we can cut them out we’ll be fine.”

TNS currently top the table after hitting Aberystwyth Town for six on Tuesday night and Hill is aware of how deadly the champions’ attack is.

“That’s the difference in this league, if you give teams a chance they will punish you,” he continued.

“In Division One you could kind of get away with that.”

The other game tonight sees Connah’s Quay Nomads welcome Newtown to the Deeside Stadium as they look to get back to winning ways following their shock 1-0 reverse to Huws Gray Alliance champions Caernarfon Town on Tuesday night.

There are also three games taking place tomorrow.

Aberystwyth Town will look to bounce back from their 6-0 drubbing at The New Saints as they welcome Bala Town to Park Avenue.

Caernarfon, who have taken nine points from 15 so far this season, take on Barry Town United while Carmarthen Town travel to The Rock to face basement boys Cefn Druids.

On Sunday, all eyes will be on the Cyncoed Campus as third-placed Cardiff Metropolitan University host Llandudno, who bagged their first win of the season last weekend in a 2-0 win over Barry.